A Cavan Senator is urging the Government to prioritise the implementation of comprehensive hate speech legislation.
According to Senator Joe O'Reilly, the need for the legislation has become "increasingly evident" in light of rising incidents of hate speech and discrimination in society.
Speaking to Northern Sound, the local Senator believes the absence of specific legislation leaves victims without "adequate legal recourse" and sends a message that such behavior is tolerated.
As a result, he is calling on the Government to expedite the implementation of comprehensive hate speech legislation.
He added the legislation should "strike a balance" between protecting freedom of expression and safeguarding individuals, and communities from the harmful effects of hate speech:
"Now that we're a multi-ethnic community, which is wonderful, the new people have added a richness to our society as we did to many societies as Irish immigrants ourselves, with a multi-racial society and a multi-ethnic society you do need a legislation in place which will make it very clear to everyone that it is not on to either speak with hate or act with hate".
